Topping machine



May 18, 1943. J, L RS 2,319,770

TOPPING MACHINE Filed July 20, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet l g5 74% 24 l 0 w 76 A95 45% f/aa o IHI llll I I II I 57 LO o 4/5 56 "1/2, 56" 6'5 6'2 35 V j a n 397 4/] 47 3::

INVENTOR.

7 Jaw 7% 50ers.

ATTORNEY May 18, 1943. J. L. BEERS 2,319,770

TOPPING MACHINE Filed July 20, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet"2 we ml 7 m1 M m 55 INVENTOR. @y/ 1. 'ZC/(S ATTORNEY.

May 18, 1943. BEERS TOPPING MACHINE Filed July 20, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 EEE $4? 1 INVENTOR.

aise/44 May '18; 1943.

- J. L. BEERS TOPPING MACHINE Filed July 20, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

- ATTORNEY.

. y 1943- J. L. BEERS 2,319,770

TOPPING MACHINE Filed July 20, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VENTOR.

if Jae/1&4 2r; BY

ATTORNEY. I

Patented May 18, 1943 TOPPING MACHINE Joseph L. Beers, Bloomfield, N. J., assignor to Julius Kayser & 00., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application July 20, 1937, Serial No. 154,574

40 Claims.

The present invention relates to a topping machine, and has for one of its main objects the provision of a machine devised for topping on a transfer bar the leg and foot portions of a combination stocking blank of the type disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial Number 106,828, filed October 21, 1936, whereby said blank may be transferred to the needle bar of a converted footer constructed in accordance with the invention set forth in my co-pending application, Serial Number 139,129, filed April 27, 1937, for the purpose of knitting heel portions onto the combination leg and foot blank.

The invention particularly aims to provide a topping machine capable of engaging paralleling separate rows of loops of certain courses in a combination leg and foot full fashioned stocking blank and operable to transpose the loops of one of said rows to a position at substantially 180 degrees with respect to their original position, whereby to change the paralleling relationship of said rows of loops to a contiguous one so that the latter may engage the transfer points of a straight transfer bar adapted to transfer the loops in engagement therewith upon the needle bar of a flat knitting machine in the usual well known manner.

Itv is also an important object of the invention to provide a topping machine of the character mentioned with a topping bar consisting of pairs of sections hinged together, whereby one section of each pair may be swung to assume either a paralleling or a contiguous position with respect to the remaining associated section, the swingable section being adapted, when swung to its paralleling position, to adjust itself whereby the topping points thereof will lie in a plane paralleling that of the points of the companion section but in staggered relation therewith so that said points of the swingable section will become aligned with the sinker wales of the knitted fabric to engage the same, whereas the topping points of the 'remaining section are aligned with the needle wales of said fabric for engagement therewith; the swingable section being further adapted, when swung to its other position, to again adjust itself so that the topping points thereof will be in the same contiguous plane with that of the points of the companion section, accordingly bringing the sinker wale loops in engagement therewith on a straight line with the needle wale loops in engagement with the top ping points of the other section. c

.-Other important objects and vadvantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. p

In order that the invention and its mode of operation may be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art, I have in the accompanying drawings and in the detailed description based thereupon, set out a possible embodiment of the invention. In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the topping machine illustrating the same in position to receive the fabric to be topped thereon.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the topping machine illustrating the same in position for the transfer of the loops onto the transfer bar.

- Figure 5 is an end elevation of the same.

Figure 6 is a section-taken on line 66 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is an enlargedside elevation of the pair of hinged sections.

Figure 8 is a section taken on line 88 of Figure 7. v

Figure 9 is a section taken on line 99 of Figure 7. I V

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the hinge sections showing the same in contiguous relationship.

Figure 11 is a section taken on line ll ll of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is an enlarged cross sectional detail of the transferring frame and its operating mechanism. v p i Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12; illustrating the operation of the frame in transferring the loops from the topping points onto the transfer points. v g

Figure 14 is an enlarged cross section of the bed supporting the sectional topping bar.

Figure 15 is a perspective of the cam portion of the sectional topping bar supporting bed.

Figure 16 is an enlarged cross section of the same.

Figure l7 is adiagrammatic representation of a part of the combination leg and foot blank to be topped on my improved machine.

Figure 18 is an enlarged diagrammatic repre sentation of the fabric topped on the machine. Figure 19 is a diagrammatic representation of the portion of the combination leg and foot blank in position to be transferred onto the needles of a flat knitting machine. 1

Having more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, my improved topping machine may be stated to comprise a base I having a substantially rectangular configuration. Transversely mounted upon the base I and suitably secured thereto, for instance, by bolts 2 or like fastening elements, is a pair of upright frame stands 3 relatively disposed in paralleling spaced relation. Each stand preferably consists of a front portion 4, a rear portion 5, a lower portion 6, an upper portion I, and an intermediate portion 8. The stands are rigidly interconnected by means of a rod 2' fixed to the lower portion 6. Spanning the spaced stands 3 and rigidly connected to the upper portion I thereof is a bed 9 intended to carry a split topping bar, indicated in its entirety for convenience. herein by the reference character Ill. The split topping bar II], as shown in the drawings, includes four complementary sections, that is, two end sections Ifia and two intermediate sections Iilb, each section carrying a predetermined number of topping points II. The end sections Illa are fixedly secured to the bed 9, whereas each of the intermediate sections lllb is hingedly connected to its adjoining fixed end section so that each of said intermediate sections may swing in relation to its associated stationary or fixed end section, whereby the topping points II of the swingable sections Illh may be brought either in position on a plane paralleling that of the topping points of the stationary sections Ifla, or in position on a plane extending contiguously with the latter.

In addition to this swinging movement of the sections IIlb, the same are also preferably adapted to pivot in a direction substantially at right angles to said swinging movement so that the topping points II of the movable sections IIlb, when in paralleling relation with the topping points I I- of the fixed sections Ifla, may be moved towards or away from the latter.

For this purpose, the connection between each associated pair of sections is of a dual hinged type and comprises a hinge bracket I2 having a general L shape formation, one branch I3 of which is rigidly secured to a fixed section Illa insuch a manner that the other branch I4 projects rearwardly of the topping machine, at substantially right angles to the bed 9. The projecting branch I4 of the bracket I2 is formed with a pair of relatively spaced bearings I5 adapted to freely receive the adjacent end portions of a pintle I6 so that the latter may laterally rotate and longitudinally slide in said bearings.

- Rigidly engaging the pintle I6 at a point inter,- mediate its end portions is a sleeve II disposed between the bearings I5 and formed with a laterally extending flange I8 provided with a bracket I9 having a sleeve 2!] engaging the medial portion of a pintle 2 I. The sleeve 29 is adapted to snugly fit between spaced bearings 22 in engagement with the free end portions of the pintle 2| and integrally formed with a plate 23 adapted to be fixedly secured to a free topping bar section I-Bb'.

From the foregoing description of the dual hinge construction; it will be understood that the movable sections lllb are capable of swinging on a radius of approximately 180 degrees with respect to the stationary sections Iiia and, furthermore, capable of being pivoted by means of finger pieces 24 fixed to said movable sections to displace the topping points II thereof in relation to the topping points II of the stationary sections Illa.

-The pivoted movement of each section I0?) is preferably limited and, accordingly, there may be provided a stop member 25 mounted on a suitable portion of the hinge structure to lie in the path of the pivotal movement of said section IIlb.

To facilitate the engagement of the knitted fabric with the topping points when in superposed parallel relation, it is preferable that the tips of the upper points slightly project beyond the tips of the lower points. To accomplish this feature, a predetermined amount of play, as indicated at 26, is allowed between the sleeves IT and the bearings I5 of the hinge brackets I2 so that said sleeves and, accordingly, the movable sections mounted.

lilb, by reason of the elements interconnecting them to the sleeves, may slide forwardly, thereby advancing the points II carried by said sections Illb This sliding motion is caused to occur automatically due to the provision of a cam finger 21 secured to each hinge bracket 12 and having a camming face 28 disposed in contact with the edge 29 of the flange I8 formed with the pintle engaging sleeve I'I when and as the movable sections Itb are swung to that position bringing the points lI thereof in superposed paralleling relation to the points I- I of the stationary sections Illa. Provision is also made to automatically return the points II of the movable sections 0b to their proper position and alignment in the same contiguous plane as the points It of the stationary sections so that the points of said sections will be-on a straight line to accurately register with the points of a straight transfer bar. For this purpose, the bed 9 is formed with a pair of cams 39 each arranged to engage one of the finger pieces 26 when and as tlfe movable sections IElb are swung to the position bringing them in a plane contiguous with that of the stationary sections.

In this respect, attention is called to the fact that the cams 30' are each formed with two distinct camming surfaces Sila and 3% respectively, the camming surfaces 38a acting to slide the movable sections Illb rearwardly of the stands and the camming surfaces 3% acting to straighten said sections Ii'ib out of their tilting position and frictionally maintain them in place so that the tips of the points I I carried by each section will be i'n the same contiguous plane.

The cooperative function of the cams 30 and finger pieces 24 will be more clearly understood from Figures 14-16. As shown in said figures, the cams 36 are formed on the rear edge of the bed 9 on which the topping bar sections are Also as indicated, particularly in dotted lines in Figure 14, the finger piece 24 of each movable topping bar section Iila is mounted upon the rear edge portion thereof and lies inthe longitudinal vertical plane of the corresponding cam 30, but at one side of the latter when said movable topping barsection is positioned in paralleling relation with the associated stationary topping bar section lob. Thus, upon swinging movement of the section Illa about the axis defined by the pintle I 3 (Figure 8) to position said section IEa in alignment with the section IIib, the finger piece 24 is brought into engagement with its corresponding cam 36), first coming in contact with cam surface 30a and then, through continuous swinging movement of the section Ilia, coming in contact with the camming surface 39b as and for the purpose hereinbefore specified.

, When, the topping points II of the pairs of sections Illa and Illb with the loops of the fabric topped thereon are positioned in the same contiguous plane, said points are adapted to register with the transferpoints 3| of a transfer bar 32 so that said loops may be transferred thereonto, the transfer bar 32 being supported forwardly of the topping machine by means of the usual swinging frame 33 pivoted to the stands 3 of the topping machine frame, as indicated at 34.

The fabric loops are transferred from the points of the topping machine to the points of the transfer bar by means of a rocking frame, indicated in its entirety by the reference character 35. The rocking frame 35 is substantially of the same construction as that of ordinary well known topping machines in that it includes a pair of arms 36 supporting a bar 31 carrying a plurality of'knock-over blades 38 so arranged that one blade extends between every contiguous pair of topping points. However, the mounting of the frame 35 upon the topping machine differs from the usual mounting. Since, in accordance with the invention, certain of the topping points H are to be swung on a radius of 180 degrees, it will be appreciated that the knock over blades 38 must be capable of moving out of the way of the swinging points. A possible mode of accomplishing this feature of the invention is represented in the drawings. Accordingto the showing made herein, the arms 35 are mount-- ed on a stub shaft 39 having its opposite extremities freely received in one of the end portions of a pair of levers 40 respectively pivoted at their intermediate portion to the frame stands 3. The free end-portions of the levers 40 project outwardly of the topping machine and have se cured thereto a rod 4| which may be manipulated to actuate the levers 4B. and thus cause the rocking frame 35 to move up or down, depending upon the direction in which the rod 4| is moved. In the arrangement shown and described, it will be understood that when the rod 4| is in an up position, that is, in the position shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the frame 35 and, accord-' ingly, the knock-over blades 38 are, lowered, thereby withdrawing said blades from between the topping points, and when the rod 4| is in a down position, that is, in the position represented in Figures 4, 5, and 6, where it is held by means of a spring plate 42 mounted on the base and projecting therefrom: to engage the bar 31, the frame 35 is raised, consequently bringing the blades 38 in position between the topping points for effecting the transfer of the knitted fabric loops onto the points of the transfer bar.

Q'Ihe transfer of the loops is effected by the knock-over blades through the rocking movement of the frame 35. This rocking movement is imparted to the frame 35 by means of cams 42' bearing upon the arm 36 and rigidly mounted on a shaft 43 rotatably supported in the inter mediate portion 8 of the frame stands 3.. h A handle 45 is afiixed ,to one end of the shaft. 43 so that, upon moving said handle towards the rear of the topping machine, the shaft 43; will be rotated together with the cams 42' in the direction indicated by the arrow A so, that the frame 35 will move forwardly, thereby cause ing, the knock-over blades 38 to slide the knitted fabricloops off the toppingpoints and onto the transfer points of the transfer bar. v Y

.,-R otation of -the shaft 43in either direction is limited by means of stop pins 45 carried by adjustable collars 41 on said shaft, and adapted to come in contact with adjacent portions ofthe frame stands 3. Constant riding engagement is assured between the arms 36 and their. respective cams 42' by means of a-tension spring 48 having one of its ends connected to one of the arms 36 and its other end attached to a suitable portion of the adjacent frame stand.

In using my improved device, the various parts are first adjusted in the position shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, that is, with the handle 45 pulled forwardly so that the frame 35 and knock-over blades 38 are down with the transfer bar frame 33 swung to the rear of the machine; and with the movable sections lflb' swung so that the topping points thereof parallel the topping points ll of the stationary sections Illa,- said movable sections |0b being slid and tilted in the manner previously stated so that the extremities of the topping points project beyond and lie slightly away from the extremities of; the lower topping points.

Thus the machine is ready to receive the fabric to be topped thereon.

As hereinbefore stated, my improved device is particularly intended to perform the topping on operation for a stocking blank of the type specified in my co-pending application, Serial Number 106,828, filed October 21, 1936. Such a blank has been diagrammatically shown herein in Figure 17, from which it will appear that the stocking blank 50 consists of a combined leg fabric 5| and foot fabric 52, the leg fabric including the high splice heel fabrics 53, and the foot fabric including the sole fabrics 54, toe fabric 55, and instep fabric 56. At the point between the high splice heel fabrics 53 of the leg 5| and the sole fabrics 54 of the foot 52, Where the blank is to be severed for the insertion of the heel tabs (not shown), in the manner described in my co-pending applications afore-, said, there are knitted series of partial loose courses 5! which extend from the selvedge edges for a predetermined distance into the body of the fabric. It will be understood that the provision of the loose courses, while affording a convenient guiding line for severing the fabric. also facilitate" the topping on operation because the loops of the fabric may then be readily en-. gaged with the superposed paralleling topping points ll of the topping machine. It will be appreciated that the spacing between said superposed paralleling topping points makes it possible to introduce the cutting blade of a suitable tool to sever the fabric.

Referring to that construction of the blank; which is described in my co-pending application Serial Number 106,828, as having a pull-out thread interknitted with the series of loose courses, it is pointed out that my topping ma: chine is particularly devised to adapt itself-to such a construction. When a blank of this type is topped on the superposed paralleling points of my improved machine, the movable sections Illbyare pivoted to bring the'ir points towards the points of the stationary sections IOa. Thus the tension of the loops between said points is relieved permitting the pull-out thread to be easily removed, thereby separating the leg and foot fabrics at the high splice heel sections 53 and sole sections 54 without necessitating the cutting of the fabric. At this point, attention is called to the fact that when the hinged sections la and I0!) are in superposed. paralleling position, the points,

thereof are relatively disposed instaggered relation so that the upper points will engage the sinker wale' loops of the associated course,- where as the lower points will engage the needle Wale loops of the corresponding course.

' After the fabric has been separated in the manner above indicated, the movable sections Hlb' are swung to bring the points I l in the same contiguous plane as that of the points of the stationary sections Illa, accordingly placing the loops that are engaged with the topping points on a straight line so that said loops may be transferred onto the points of the transfer bar in the manner already stated.

When the transfer of the loops upon the transfer bar has been accomplished, it will be understood that the fabric may be then readily trans ferred onto the needle bar of a knitting machine for the interknitting of the heel fabrics inthe manner shown and described in my co-pending application Serial Number 139,129.

In other words, it will be understood that because of the construction of the topping device with its pairs of topping bar sections "la and [b, the sections of each pair being adapted for positioning in parallel relation and movable to straight line relation, a combination leg and foot hosiery blank such as shown in Figure 17 may be placed in engagement with the points H of said topping bar sections positioned in parallel relation by topping rows of loops of the foot, particularly rows of sinker loops of the first foot course, on the points of one sec: tion of each pair, and topping rows of loops of the leg, particularly rows of needle loops of the last leg course, on the points of the other section of each pair. Then, upon cutting the blank fabric between said rows of loops, the topping bar sections may be moved to straight line relation so as to place said rows of loops of the foot and leg in a continuous straight line whereby said rows of loops may be transferred readily to the straight needle bar of a knitting machine of the type shown and described in my copending application aforesaid and constructed and operated so that heels are knitted onto said rows of needle loops of the last leg course and, during such knitting, the rows of sinker loops of the first foot course are periodically shifted for interknitting with the heel tabs.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that I have provided a simple, yet effective, mechanism capable of functioning to facilitate the topping on operation of a combined leg and foot stocking blank. However, Whereas I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, I wish it to be understood that several modifications may be made in the construction of the mechanism without departing from the essence of the invention. Therefore, any modifications coming within the scope of the following claims are to be considered within the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is: 1

l. A topping machine comprising a split topping bar including pairs of associated sections, each having a plurality of topping points, and a frame carrying a plurality of knock-over blades associated with the topping points of said sections, one section of each pair being movable with respect to the other section of the pair whereby said movable section may be displaced from a position paralleling that of the associated section to a position contiguous with that of said ciated withsaid frame toac'tuate the same for moving its knock ove'r blades out of association withsaid topping" points. I

2'. A- topping machine comprising a split tepping bar including pairs of associated sections, each having a plurality of topping points, and a frame carrying a plurality of knock-over blades associated with the topping points of said sections, one section of each pair being swingable on a radius of approximately 180 degrees with respect to the other section of the pair whereby said swingable section may be swung from a pe sition parallel-ing that of the associated section to a position contiguous with that of said associated section, and means operatively associated with said frame to actuate the same for moving itsknock-over blades out of association with said topping points during the swinging movement of the swingabl'e section.

3. A topping machine comprising a split topping bar, including pairs of associated sections each having a plurality of topping points, one section of each pair being movable laterally with respect to the other section of the pair whereby said movable section may be displaced from a-position paralleling that of the associated section to a position contiguous with that of said associated section, and means acting upon said movable section to cause the same to move in a direction at substantially right angles to its lateral displacement.-

4. A topping machine comprising a split topping bar including pairs of hinged sections, each having a plurality of topping points, one section of each pair being swingable with respect to the other section of the pair whereby said swingable section may be displaced from a position paralleling that of the associated section to a position contiguous with that of said associated section, and means acting upon said swingable section to cause the same to slide in a direction at substaritially right angles to its swinging movement.

5. A topping machine comprising a split topping bar including pairs of associated sections each having a plurality of topping points, one section of each pair being movable laterally with respect to the other section of the pair whereby said movable section may be displaced from a position paralleling that of the associated section to a position contiguous with that of said associated section, means acting upon said movable section to cause the same to move in a direction at substantially right angles to its lateral displacement, and means for limiting the right angular movement of the movable section.

'. 6. A topping machine comprising a split top ping bar including pairs of hinged sections, each associated section, and means operatively asso- 7 5 having a plurality of topping points, one section of each pair being swingabl e with respect to the other section of the pair whereby said swingable section maybe displaced from a position paralleling that of the associated section to a position contiguous with that of said associated section, means acting upon said swingable section to cause the same to slide in a direction at substantially right angles to its swinging movement, and means for limiting the right angular movement of the swingable section.

7. A topping machine comprising a split topping bar including pairs of associated sections and a double hinged connection between the sections of each pair whereby one of said sections may pivot in two right angularly opposed directions with respect to the remaining section of the pair.

' 8. A topping machine comprising a split topping bar including pairs of associated sections, a hinged connection between the sections of each pair whereby one of said sections may swing in relation to the other section of the pair, and means incorporated in the hinged connection to impart a sliding movement to said swinging section during its swinging movement.

9. In a topping machine including pairs of associated topping point sections, one section of each pair being movable with respect to the other section of the pair, a frame carrying a plurality of knock-over blades associated with the topping points of said sections, and means operatively associated with said frame to actuate the same for moving its knock-over blades out of association with the topping points of said sections.

10. In a topping machine having pairs of associated topping point sections, one section of each pair being adapted to pivot in two different directions with respect to the other section of the pair, a frame carrying a plurality of knockover blades associated with the topping points of said sections, and means operatively associated with said frame to actuate the same for moving its knock-over blades out of association with the topping points of said sections during their pivotal movements.

11. In a topping machine, a topping bar comprising a stationary section and a movable section, said movable section being mounted for placement into different positions with respect to the stationary section, and means acting on the movable section for automatically displacing the same in directions at right angles to the general direction of movement during the placement thereof in its different positions.

12. In a topping stand, a topping bar comprisingtwo topping point sections each having a series of topping. points, the free ends of the points of one of said sections extending beyond the free 'ends of the points of the other of said sections when the sections are in topping position, and means for supporting said sections in parallel topping position for topping separated courses of a knitted fabric thereon.

13. In 'a'topping' stand, a topping bar comprising two topping point sections, each having a series of topping points, pivotal supporting means for said: sections constructed and arranged to permit relative swinging movements of said sections from a straight line to a parallel position, a transfer bar having transfer points and supporting means for'the same, and loop transfer means comprising a comb: movable to force fabric held on the topping points onto the points of the transfer bar.

14.'In a toppingstand having a series of topping points to receive parallel courses of knitted fabric for subsequent transfer in a single line relation, the combinationof stationary topping point. section, a second movable topping point section, pivotal supporting means on which said latter topping point section is movable from a parallel to a spaced single line relation thereo, and'a transfer bar supporting means for registering a transfer bar with the topping points in said spaced single line relation.

15. In a topping stand, a series of topping points comprising a stationary topping point section having the points thereof supported in a spaced straight line relationship, a second topping point section having the points thereof supported in a spaced straight line relationship, and

pivotal supporting means on which said latter topping point section is movable from a position parallel to said first section into a straight line position with relation thereto, with the points then evenly spaced.

16. In a topping stand, a series of topping points comprising a stationary topping point section having the points thereof supported in a horizontally spaced straight line relationship, a second topping point section having the points thereof supported in a spaced straight line relationship, and a pivotal support on which said latter topping point section is movable from a position parallel to said first topping point section into a straight line position with relation thereto, said pivot being located with relation to the adjacent end topping points of the two sections to move the end point of the movable section from a parallel topping position in substantially the same transverse plane with the ad-- jacent end topping point into a spaced straight line position with relation thereto, with the points then evenly spaced.

17. In a topping stand having a series of topping points to receive parallel courses of a knitted fabric for subsequent transfer in single line relation, the combination of two topping point sections relatively swingable from a parallel topping to a single line transfer position, a casting off comb having teeth arranged to pass between the topping points of said series when in transfer position, means for supporting the comb out of engagement with the topping points, actuating means for the comb including means for projecting the teeth of the comb between the shanks of the topping points, and means for moving the comb to cast off the fabric loops from the transfer points.

18. In a topping stand, the combination of two topping point units each comprising a stationary topping point section, said topping point sections being supported in straight line relationship to one another, a movable .topping point section associated with each of said stationary sections, a pivotal support for each of said movable sections on which said latter topping point sections are movable from parallel positions with relation to the stationary point sections inwardly into a spaced straight line relationship thereto, supporting means for registering the quills of a transfer bar with all of the topping points when in straight line relationship, and a cast-01f comb for casting off the loops held on said points onto said quills.

19. In a topping stand, a series of topping points comprising a stationary point section having the points thereof supported in a spaced straight line relationship, a second topping point section having the points thereof supported in a spaced straight line relationship, a pivotal support on which said latter topping point section ismovable from a position parallel to said first section into a straight line position with relation thereto, a casting-off comb having teeth arranged to extend between the points of said series, and actuating means for said comb including an, actuating member, and connections actuated thereby for advancing the comb to engage the teeth between the shank portions of said points, and thereafter for moving the comb longitudinally of said points to cast off the fabric loops held thereon.

a 20. In a topping stand, a series of topping points comprising a stationary topping point section having the points thereof supported in a horizontally spaced straight line relationship, 'a second topping point section having the points thereof supported in a spaced straight line relationship, a pivotal support on which said latter topping point section is movable from a position parallel to said first topping point section into a straight line position with relation thereto, said pivot being located with relation to the adjacent end topping points of the two sections to move the end point of the movable section from a parallel topping in substantially the same transverse plane with the adjacent end topping point into a spaced straight line position with relation thereto, a cast-off comb having teeth arranged for engagement between the shank portions of the points of both section instraight line relationship means for supporting the comb directly beneath the topping point sections, and actuating means for said comb including a control member and connections actuated thereby for advancing the comb to engage the teeth between the shank portions thereof to the rear of the fabric loops topped on the points, and thereafter for moving the comb longitudinally of the points to cast off the loops held thereon.

21. The method of transferring to a needle series for the knitting of the heels, a combination foot and leg stocking blank having the last course of leg fabric and the first course of sole fabric integrally connected by knitting, which comprises the steps of topping the loops of one of said courses into which the heel is to be knitted onto the points of a topping point section, thereafter topping the loops of the other of said courses into which the heel is to be knitted onto the points of a second topping point section held in parallel relation thereto and at a lower level, separating the fabric courses topped onto said points, thereafter moving said topping point sections into a straight line relationship, and thereafter transferring all of said supported loops to a transfer bar,

22. A device for use in conjunction with a transfer bar for transferring a blank portion from one knitting machine to another for knitting a further portion to said first blank portion, comprising loop topping points, and means for supporting and manipulating row sections of said points for receiving walewise spaced rows of loops of said blank portion, said point row sections including sections movable out of alignment with each other to effect said reception and into alignment with each other providing for the topping of said loop rows onto points of the transfer bar for engagement with a bank of needles of said other machine.

23. The method of performing intermediate steps in the production of a knitted article formed on a plurality of knitting machines; which comprises taking a blank completed on one knitting machine, topping portions of said blank on side by-side rows of fabric manipulating implements of different topping bar sections, and manipulating said sections including the displacing thereof relativ to each other and placing said implement rows in position for continuing the production of the knitted article on another knitting machine.

24. The method of performing intermediate step in the production of a knitted article formed on a plurality of knitting machines; which comprises taking a blank completed on one knitting machine, topping portions of said blank on sideby-side rows of fabric manipulating implements of different topping'b-ar sections, and manipulating said sections including the turning thereof relative to each other and placing said implement rows in position for continuing the production of the knitted article on another knitting machine.

25. The method of performing intermediate steps in the production of a knitted article formed on a plurality of knitting machines; which comprises taking a blank completed on one knitting machine, topping portions of said blank on sideby-side rows of fabric manipulating implements of different topping bar sections, severing a portion of the blank between said sections, and manipulating said sections including the displacing thereof relative to each .other and placing said implement rows in position for continuing the production of the knitted article on another knitting machine.

26. The method of performing intermediate steps in the production of a. knitted article formed on a plurality of knitting machines; which comprises taking a blank completed on one knitting machine, topping portions of said blank on sideby-side rows of fabric manipulating implements of different topping bar sections, having head ends in offset planes normal to longitudinal axes of the implements, and manipulating said sections including the displacing thereof relative to each other and placing said implement rows in position for continuing the production of the knitted article on another knitting machine.

27. The method of performing intermediate steps in the production of a knitted article formed on a plurality of knitting machines; which comprises taking a blank completed on one knitting machine, topping portions of said blank on sideby-side rows of fabric manipulating implements of different topping bar sections having head ends in offset planes normal to longitudinal axes of the implements, and manipulating said sections and implements including the displacing thereof relative to each other to have the sections and implements in alignment and said head ends in a common plane normal to said axes for continuing the production of the knitted article on another knitting machine.

28. The method of performing intermediate steps in the production of a knitted article formed on a plurality of knitting machines; which comprises taking a blank completed on one knitting machine, topping portions of said blank on sideby-side rows of fabric manipulating implements of different topping bar sections having head ends in offset planes normal to longitudinal axes of the implements, severing a. portion of the blank between said sections, and manipulating said sections and implements including the displacing thereof relative to each other tohave the sections and implements in alignment for continuing the production of the knitted article on another knitting machine.

29. The method .of performing intermediate steps in the production of a knitted article formed on a plurality of knitting machines; which comprises taking a blank completed on one knitting machine, topping portions of said blank on sideby-side rows of fabric manipulating implements of different topping bar sections having head ends in offset planes normal to longitudinal axes of the implements, severing a portion of the blank between said sections, and manipulating said sections and implements including the displacing thereof relative to each other to have the sections and implements in alignment and said head ends in a common plane normal to said axes for continuing the'production-of the knitted'article on another knitting machine.-

30. In combination in a topping machine, a

base including journal bearing means for transfer bar supporting means, transfer bar supportmachine to loop-manipulating implements of said transfer bar, supporting means on the base for said machine loop-manipulating implements; groups of said machine loop-manipulating im: plements stationarily supported by the said sup porting means thereofof the base in positions corresponding to positions of end sections of the transfer bar when the; latter is positioned by its said supporting mean 's', and groups of said ma} chine implements each mounted on the said sup: porting means thereof on the base for movement between a position in which the groupis disposed in adjacent offset parallel plane relation to one of saidend sections and a position in which the group is disposed in alignment with said one end section. I v k I 31. In combination in a topping machine, a base including journal bearing means for trans:- fer bar supporting means, transfer bar support ing means journaled by said bearing means in.- cluding portions for removably receiving a transfer bar, knockover bitjmechanism including operating means providing for the transfer of yarn loops from loop-manipulating implements of the machine to loop-manipulating implements of said transfer bar, a rod fixed to' the machine base, groups of said machine loop-manipulating implements stationarily supported by said rod in position corresponding to positions of end sections of the transfer bar when the latter is posimeans at the other end, knockover bit mechanism including operating means providin for the transfer of yarn loops from loop-manipulating implements of the machine to loop-manipulating implements of said transfer bar, supporting means on the base for said machine loopmanipulating implements stationarily supported by said supporting means in positions corresponding to-positions of end sections of the transfer bar when the latter is positioned on said arm receiving means, and groups of said machine implements each mounted on said supporting means for pivotal movement between a position in which the group is disposed in adjacent offset parallel plane relation to one of said end sections and a position in which the group is disposed in alignment with said one end section.

33. In combination in a topping machiney-a base including shaft journal bearing means, shaft means journaled in said bearing means, transfer bar supporting arms each fixed at one end to said shaft and having transfer bar receiving means at the other end,- knockover bit mechanism including operating means providing for the transfer of yarn loops from loop-manipulating implements of the machine to loop-manipulating implements of said transfer bar, a rod fixed to the machine base, groupsof said machine loop-manipulating implements stationarily supported by said rod in position corresponding to positions of end sections of the transfer bar when the latter is'positioned by its said supporting means, implement'group journal means on'the base adjacent to said rod disposed one ad'- jacent to the inner end of each of said groups, and groups of said machine implements each carried by an implement bar and a clamp pivotally mounted by'the corresponding implement group journal means for movement between a position in which the group is disposed in adjacent offset parallel plane relationto one-of said end sections and a position on said rod in which the group isdisposed in alignment with said one section.

34. Incombination in a topping machine, a base including journal bearing means for transfer bar supporting means, transfer bar supporting means journaled by said bearing means in cluding portions for removably receiving a transfer bar; knockover bit mechanism including operating means providing for the transfer of yarn 'loopsfrom loop-manipulating elements of the machine to loop-manipulating implements of said transfer bar, supporting means on the base for, said machine loop-manipulating implements, groups of said machine loop-manipulating implements stationarily supported by said base supporting means in position corresponding to positions of end sections of the transfer bar when the latter is positioned by its said supporting means/and groups of said machine implements each mounted on said base supporting means for movement between a position in which the group is disposed in adjacent offset parallel plane relation to one of said end sections with the head ends of the implements of the adjacent groups in different planes normal to the longitudinal axes of the implements and a position in which the group is disposed in alignment with said one section.

35. In combination in a topping machine, a base including journal bearing means for transfer bar supporting means, transfer bar supporting means journaled by said bearing means including portions for removably receiving a transfer bar, knockover bit mechanism including operating means providing for the transfer of yarn loops from loop-manipulating implements of the machine to loop-manipulating implements of said transfer bar, supporting means on the base for said machine loop-manipulating implements, groups of said machine loop-manipulating implements stationarily supported by said base supporting means in position corresponding to positions of end sections of the transfer bar when the latter is positioned by its said supporting means, and groups of said machine implements each mounted on said base supporting means for movement between a position in which the group is disposed in adjacent offset parallel plane relation to one of said end sections with the head ends of the implements of the adjacent groups in different planes normal to the longitudinal axes of the implements and a position in which the group is disposed in alignment with said one section with said head ends of the adjacent groups in a common plane normal to said axes.

36. In combination in a mechanismoperative in the production of knitted fabrics, groups of elongated yarn loop topping points, means for mounting said groups providing for movement of one thereof from position in which its implements are in offset parallel plane relation to the implements of another group with the head ends of the groups in different planes normal to the longitudinal axes of the implements and a position in which the groups are in alignment and the heads of the groups in a common plane, and means for transferring loops from the points of said groups While said head ends are in the latter position.

37. In the manufacture of hosiery, the method comprising: placing a combination leg and foot hosiery blank in engagement with the points of two topping bar sections positioned in paralleling relation and movable to a straight line relation, by topping a row of loops of the foot on the points of one section, and topping a row of loops of the leg on the points of the other section; moving said sections to straight line relation so as to place said rows of loops of the foot and leg in a continuous straight line whereby the loops may thus be transferred to a straight needle bar of a knitting machine; and knitting a heel fabric on one of said rows of loops.

38. In the manufacture of hosiery, the method comprising: placing a combination leg and foot hosiery blank in engagement with the points of two topping bar sections positioned in paralleling relation and movable to a straight line relation, by topping a row of loops of the foot on the points of one section, and topping a row of loops of the leg on the points of the other section; moving said sections to straight line relation so as to place said rows of loops of the foot and leg in a continuous straight line whereby the loops may thus be transferred to a straight needle bar of a knitting machine; knitting a heel fabric on one of said rows of loops; and, during such knitting, periodically shifting the loops of the other row for interknitting with the heel fabric.

39. In the manufacture of hosiery, the method comprising: placin a combination leg and foot hosiery blank in engagement with the points of pairs of topping bar sections, the topping bar sections of each pair being positioned in paralleling relation and movable to a straight line relation, by topping rows of sinker loops of the first foot course on the points of one section of each pair, and topping rows of needle loops of the leg course on the points of the other section of each pair; moving said sections to straight line relation so as to place the rows of sinker loops of the first foot course and rows of needle loops of the last leg course in a continuous straight line; transferring said rows of sinker and needle loops to a straight needle bar of a knitting machine; and knitting heel tabs onto said rows of needle loops of the last leg course,

40. In the manufacture of hosiery, the method comprising: placing a combination leg and foot hosiery blank in engagement with the points of pairs of topping bar sections, the topping bar sections of each pair being positioned in paralleling relation and movable to a straight line relation, by topping rows of sinker loops of the first foot course on the points of one section of each pair, and topping rows of needle loops of the last leg course on the points of the other section of each pair; moving said sections to straight line relation so as to place the rows of sinker loops of the first foot course and rows of needle loops of the last leg course in a continuous straight line; transferring said rows of sinker and needle loops to a straight needle bar of a knitting machine; knitting heel tabs onto said rows of needle loops of the last leg course; and, during such knitting, periodically shifting the rows of sinker loops of the first foot course for interknitting with the heel tabs.

J OSEPH L. BEERS. 

